Photographer's Note

"I'm sooo important", he thinks... "everybody's taking photos of me!"

Some might come to a conclusion that sense of power's overwhelming... I myself don't understand how these guys live under this beaver of a hat, especially in hot summer months. Just imagine how itchy it gets underneath (and I'm pretty sure they're not allowed to scratch!).

Den Kongelige Livgarde (The Royal Guards) is an infantry regiment of the Royal Danish Army, formed in 1658. It serves a dual role as both a front line combat unit, and as a guard/ceremonial unit in regard to the Danish monarchy.

PS. In WS you can see a photo of the same guy, taken a hundred years ago...
;-P

Hi Robert,
I really love your sense of humour! And of course the excellent quality of your composition!
About your concerns: They are allowed to scratch and on very hot days the bearskin is replaced by something less warm.
Have a nice day!
Harriet

Hi Robi, nice dandyesque expression and pose captured in the guard. The simple/basic framing is an apt choice. I wonder what the focal length of this shot is ("stolen" with the tele, or stepping up quite close) - there is no indication in the EXIF or about the lens you used. Good work with the contrasty duotone version in the WS, too. Hope all is well.

The old version is great too but let's stay in 2008 :) So you don't wear a beaver hat? I mean why not, maybe it stays cool under it and protects you from the sun. I have a rabbit fur (I know it is awful but my neighbour had rabbits for many years and I always thought where they went as I cannot see her walking around with a gun [in my fantasy] but as she is a single mother and there is no man around [her daugther is the one that bellydances] it must have been her killing the animals and some months ago she said if I wanted a rabbit fur and I was looking pretty strange at her but I could not say no and I took one and it is actually quite nice on your skin even when it is warm. So much about itchy hats :) You always write these things and I am not able to write something decent after I have read it but at least I have a ball sitting in front of the PC and this is at least something. What comes next? And yes, it is a great picture, was he daydreaming or what? His closed eyes add a funny side to the picture. Have a nice evening, Barbara.

Well at least this one was smiling. The London ones have to remain stony-faced despite much provocation a lot of the time. I'm also pretty sure they are not allowed to fold their arms either. A good result of the excavation into your archives. This guard is the double of his great grandfather! :D
Kath